I heard the princess’s cries.
Nandani’s anklet chimed as she walked toward him, closer to the door.
I didn’t dare turn to him, knowing that if I had looked at him one more time, I would have broken down and cried.
My heart sank deeper, and I glanced at my fingers, trembling.
I couldn’t believe how quickly and easily I fell for him. The closeness to him was overwhelming, as was the distance between them.
“Oh, my sweet baby, what made you cry?”
In her baby talk, the princess responded to Nandani.
I gulped and lowered my gaze when, suddenly, Nandani said,“Suman, can you bring some warm water?”
I knew she did it on purpose. He wouldn’t have noticed me there, but he knew I was present when she called my name.
I turned slowly, trying not to look at him, focusing solely on Nandani, as I nodded.
I immediately tried to hurry out of the room, but not so fast that it would reveal my anxiety to everyone.
As I hastened through the corridor, fidgeting with the end of my dupatta, I felt my hand being gripped firmly.
My eyes widened in shock. I was shivering. My palms and feet had felt cold. My heart raced wildly as I slowly turned around.
Tears welled in my eyes. Warmth rushed to my cheeks as I locked eyes with him.
Memories of his warm, comforting voice, and everything I longed for blurred my mind.
Taking a step closer, he encircled my waist and slowly pulled me into his arms.
My chest visibly rose and fell with each breath, and my hand coiled around his neck to support my weight.
Suddenly, the world faded away with his presence, and I felt his arm on my back, gently drawing me closer to his chest.
My lashes fluttered nervously as his scent filled me in, giving rebirth to every dead portion of me. My fingers tangled in his hair, fisting and pulling him even closer while my eyelashes fell shut, unable to hold back the tears building in my eyes.
I broke down in tears.
“I hate you so much,” my voice came out hoarse and trembling as he pressed his cheek against mine and his lips against my neck.
“I hate you too, so fucking much,” his slow, tearful voice made me cry even harder, and I felt him leading me to his chamber.
?????
30. Agastya
With each passing day, I watched the blanket of stars spread across the dark sky, shining like pearls and then transforming into thick clouds, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and rain, reminding me of the distance between us.
Each shiver I felt under the naked sky on the cold roof of Mehrangarh’s chamber made me wonder why I wasn’t with her.
But then, a painful memory would make me sigh deeply and remind me that not all possessions are loving; some can feel like slavery.
But day by day, the sting of those words softened, replaced by smiles of beauty, allure, and vitality that took my breath away. The bright, innocent, yet possessive and empty eyes, screaming for love, blurred my vision. Eyes that used to look down in moments of confusion, uncertainty, and self-doubt.
Her lips, which curved upward whenever I teased her, when she parted them to call me‘Kunwar-sa’, constantly reminded me of my responsibilities.
A corner of my heart still beat for her.
